Barcelona boss Guardiola eager to avoid French clubs in Champions League

Although Barcelona themselves are the team that the other 15 sides are eager to avoid, Guardiola admits that he doesn't want the Blaugrana to come up against a French club in the first knock-out round.

"I don't want the French in Europe," Guardiola told Reuters."Marseille are a very strong team -- animals, physically speaking -- and there is a lot of pressure when you play there.

"They're very well prepared physically and technically. And we all know about Lyon."